All Chinese Idioms
Browse 618 Chinese idioms in pinyin order. Choose an idiom to see its meaning, usage, example sentences, and related expressions.
A
- 爱不释手ài bù shì shǒuTo love something so much one cannot bear to part with it
- 挨家挨户āi jiā āi hùDoor-to-door (from house to house)
- 爱理不理ài lǐ bù lǐTo give someone the cold shoulder (indifferent and aloof)
- 按部就班àn bù jiù bānFollowing the prescribed order (step-by-step)
- 按捺不住àn nà bù zhùUnable to restrain oneself / Unable to contain (one's emotions)
B
- 百感交集bǎi gǎn jiāo jíA multitude of emotions welling up (mixed feelings)
- 百里挑一bǎi lǐ tiāo yīOne in a hundred (the cream of the crop)
- 百无聊赖bǎi wú liáo làiUtterly listless (bored to death)
- 半斤八两bàn jīn bā liǎngSix of one, half a dozen of the other (equally mediocre)
- 板上钉钉bǎn shàng dìng dīngDriving a nail into a board (a done deal / set in stone)
- 半途而废bàn tú ér fèiTo give up halfway (leaving things unfinished)
- 半信半疑bàn xìn bàn yíHalf-believing, half-doubting (skeptical)
- 半真半假bàn zhēn bàn jiǎHalf true and half false (Half in jest, half in earnest)
- 暴风骤雨bào fēng zhòu yǔViolent storm (a sudden and forceful movement or attack)
- 悲欢离合bēi huān lí héJoys and sorrows, partings and reunions (the vicissitudes of life)
- 杯盘狼藉bēi pán láng jíCups and plates in a mess (the aftermath of a feast)
- 比比皆是bǐ bǐ jiē shìCan be found everywhere (ubiquitous)
- 必不可少bì bù kě shǎoAbsolutely essential / Indispensable
- 变化无常biàn huà wú chángConstantly changing and unpredictable (fickle)
- 变幻莫测biàn huàn mò cèUnpredictable and ever-changing (like a phantom)
- 别具匠心bié jù jiàng xīnUnique and ingenious craftsmanship
- 别有用心bié yǒu yòng xīnTo have an ulterior motive
- 彬彬有礼bīn bīn yǒu lǐRefined and courteous (well-mannered)
- 不耻下问bù chǐ xià wènNot ashamed to ask subordinates (humble learning)
- 不辞而别bù cí ér biéTo leave without saying goodbye (to take French leave)
- 不得而知bù dé ér zhīUnable to find out (impossible to know)
- 不寒而栗bù hán ér lìShivering without being cold (to make one's blood run cold)
- 不计其数bù jì qí shùCountless / Innumerable
- 不假思索bù jiǎ sī suǒWithout a second thought (unhesitatingly)
- 不堪一击bù kān yī jīCannot withstand a single blow (extremely fragile)
- 不可避免bù kě bì miǎnInevitable / Unavoidable
- 不可或缺bù kě huò quēIndispensable (cannot be missing)
- 不可胜数bù kě shèng shǔInnumerable (too many to count)
- 不可思议bù kě sī yìInconceivable; incredible; unbelievable
- 不可同日而语bù kě tóng rì ér yǔCannot be mentioned in the same breath (poles apart)
- 不了了之bù liǎo liǎo zhīTo leave a matter unsettled (to end in smoke)
- 步履蹒跚bù lǚ pán shānWalking unsteadily (to hobble or stagger)
- 不名一文bù míng yī wénPenniless / Not having a cent to one's name
- 不切实际bù qiè shí jìUnrealistic (not fitting reality)
- 不求甚解bù qiú shèn jiěNot seeking a thorough understanding (superficial understanding)
- 不三不四bù sān bù sìNeither fish nor fowl (shady or dubious)
- 不识抬举bù shí tái juFailing to appreciate a favor (ungrateful and arrogant)
- 不同寻常bù tóng xún chángOut of the ordinary / Extraordinary
- 不为人知bù wéi rén zhīUnknown to the public (hidden or obscure)
- 不相上下bù xiāng shàng xiàOn par with each other (neck and neck)
- 不屑一顾bù xiè yī gùNot worth a glance (to treat with disdain)
- 不学无术bù xué wú shùLacking learning and skill (ignorant and incompetent)
- 不言而喻bù yán ér yùGoes without saying (Self-evident)
- 不翼而飞bù yì ér fēiTo vanish into thin air (literally: to fly without wings)
- 不一而足bù yī ér zúToo many to enumerate (not limited to one)
- 不亦乐乎bù yì lè hūIs it not a joy? (To do something to the extreme)
- 不以为然bù yǐ wéi ránTo not think so (to disagree)
- 不由自主bù yóu zì zhǔInvoluntarily / Can't help oneself
- 不约而同bù yuē ér tóngTo happen to coincide (without prior agreement)
- 不在话下bù zài huà xiàNot worth mentioning (a piece of cake / no problem)
- 不择手段bù zé shǒu duànBy any means necessary (unscrupulous)
- 不折不扣bù zhé bù kòuWithout discount (100% / out-and-out)
- 不正之风bù zhèng zhī fēngUnhealthy trends (corrupt practices)
- 不知不觉bù zhī bù juéUnconsciously / Before one knows it
- 不知所措bù zhī suǒ cuòAt a loss (not knowing what to do)
- 不足为怪bù zú wéi guàiNothing to wonder at (not at all surprising)
C
- 才华横溢cái huá héng yìBrimming with talent (overflowing with creative brilliance)
- 苍白无力cāng bái wú lìPale and weak (lacking persuasion or substance)
- 层出不穷céng chū bù qióngEmerging one after another in an endless stream
- 长盛不衰cháng shèng bù shuāiEverlasting prosperity (to remain popular or successful for a long time)
- 畅所欲言chàng suǒ yù yánTo speak one's mind freely
- 长途跋涉cháng tú bá shèA long and arduous journey (trekking over a long distance)
- 车水马龙chē shuǐ mǎ lóngHeavy traffic and bustling activity (like flowing water and a swimming dragon)
- 趁热打铁chèn rè dǎ tiěStrike while the iron is hot
- 成家立业chéng jiā lì yèTo get married and establish a career (settle down)
- 成千上万chéng qiān shàng wànThousands upon thousands / Countless
- 成群结队chéng qún jié duìIn large groups (in droves)
- 乘人之危chéng rén zhī wēiTo take advantage of someone's precarious situation (to kick someone when they are down)
- 吃苦耐劳chī kǔ nài láoEnduring hardship and hard-working
- 持之以恒chí zhī yǐ héngPersevere with constancy (to keep at it)
- 愁眉苦脸chóu méi kǔ liǎnTo wear a distressed expression (looking miserable)
- 触景生情chù jǐng shēng qíngThe sight of a scene stirs up emotions
- 除旧布新chú jiù bù xīnOut with the old, in with the new
- 出口成章chū kǒu chéng zhāngWords flow like a polished essay (eloquent and articulate)
- 触目惊心chù mù jīng xīnA shocking sight (that strikes the heart)
- 出人意料chū rén yì liàoBeyond expectations (unexpected)
- 川流不息chuān liú bù xīFlowing like a river (a never-ending stream)
- 串通一气chuàn tōng yī qìTo be in cahoots (colluding for a bad purpose)
- 窗明几净chuāng míng jī jìngBright windows and clean desks (spotless and tidy)
- 垂头丧气chuí tóu sàng qìHanging one's head in dejection (crestfallen)
- 辞旧迎新cí jiù yíng xīnBidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new
- 此起彼伏cǐ qǐ bǐ fúRising and falling in succession (one after another)
- 从容不迫cóng róng bù pòCalm and unhurried (composed)
- 粗心大意cū xīn dà yiCareless and negligent (sloppy)
- 措手不及cuò shǒu bù jíCaught off guard / Taken by surprise
- 错综复杂cuò zōng fù záIntricate and complex (complicated and confusing)
D
- 大包大揽dà bāo dà lǎnTo take everything on oneself (monopolizing tasks)
- 打草惊蛇dǎ cǎo jīng shéBeat the grass and startle the snake (to alert the enemy prematurely)
- 大吃一惊dà chī yī jīngTo be greatly surprised; to be taken aback
- 大公无私dà gōng wú sīSelfless and impartial (putting public interest above all)
- 大街小巷dà jiē xiǎo xiàngBig streets and small alleys (every nook and cranny of the city)
- 大惊小怪dà jīng xiǎo guàiMaking a fuss over nothing (overreacting to trifles)
- 大浪淘沙dà làng táo shāBig waves wash away the sand (survival of the fittest)
- 大名鼎鼎dà míng dǐng dǐngRenowned / Having a great reputation
- 大模大样dà mú dà yàngIn an ostentatious manner (putting on airs)
- 大器晚成dà qì wǎn chéngGreat vessels take long to complete (A late bloomer)
- 大手大脚dà shǒu dà jiǎoBig hands and big feet (spending money lavishly)
- 大相径庭dà xiāng jìng tíngVastly different (poles apart)
- 大有可为dà yǒu kě wéiGreatly promising; having a bright future
- 荡然无存dàng rán wú cúnCompletely vanished (nothing left at all)
- 当务之急dāng wù zhī jíThe most pressing matter (top priority)
- 当之无愧dāng zhī wú kuìFully deserving of the title (worthy of the name)
- 得不偿失dé bù cháng shīThe gains do not make up for the losses (not worth the effort)
- 得过且过dé guò qiě guòMuddling through (living aimlessly without ambition)
- 得天独厚dé tiān dú hòuBlessed by nature (uniquely favored)
- 得意扬扬dé yì yáng yángTriumphant and self-satisfied (smug)
- 点石成金diǎn shí chéng jīnTurning stone into gold (The Midas touch)
- 调虎离山diào hǔ lí shānLuring the tiger away from the mountain (drawing the enemy out of their stronghold)
- 丢三落四diū sān là sìForgetful / Scatterbrained (Losing three and leaving behind four)
- 东奔西走dōng bēn xī zǒuRunning here and there (rushing about everywhere)
- 东张西望dōng zhāng xī wàngGazing around in all directions (looking here and there)
- 独立自主dú lì zì zhǔIndependent and autonomous
- 独一无二dú yī wú èrOne of a kind (Unique)
- 独占鳌头dú zhàn áo tóuTo come out on top / To take the lead (Literal: Standing alone on the giant turtle's head)
- 断章取义duàn zhāng qǔ yìTaking things out of context
- 多劳多得duō láo duō déMore work, more pay (Reward proportional to effort)
E
- 恩断义绝ēn duàn yì juéTo sever all ties of affection and duty (complete break-off)
- 耳鬓厮磨ěr bìn sī móEars and temples rubbing together (being intimately close)
- 耳目一新ěr mù yī xīnA breath of fresh air (to find something completely new and refreshing)
- 耳熟能详ěr shú néng xiángWhat one hears frequently and can describe in detail (well-known)
- 耳闻目睹ěr wén mù dǔTo see and hear for oneself (firsthand experience)
F
- 发愤图强fā fèn tú qiángTo rouse oneself to strive for strength (and prosperity)
- 发人深省fā rén shēn xǐngThought-provoking (providing deep food for thought)
- 发扬光大fā yáng guāng dàTo carry forward and enhance (a tradition or spirit)
- 翻来覆去fān lái fù qùTossing and turning; over and over again
- 翻天覆地fān tiān fù dìEarth-shaking (monumental change)
- 沸沸扬扬fèi fèi yáng yángBubbling over (to be the talk of the town / causing a stir)
- 飞黄腾达fēi huáng téng dáA meteoric rise to success (To soar like the divine horse Feihuang)
- 废寝忘食fèi qǐn wàng shíForgetting to eat and sleep (to be completely engrossed)
- 分崩离析fēn bēng lí xīTo fall apart and disintegrate
- 风餐露宿fēng cān lù sùEating in the wind and sleeping in the dew (enduring the hardships of the road)
- 风尘仆仆fēng chén pú púTravel-worn and covered in dust (weary from a long journey)
- 风风雨雨fēng fēng yǔ yǔWind and rain (trials and tribulations; rumors)
- 丰富多彩fēng fù duō cǎiRich and varied (diverse and colorful)
- 风和日丽fēng hé rì lìGentle breeze and beautiful sunshine (perfect weather)
- 峰回路转fēng huí lù zhuǎnThe path winds around the peaks (a dramatic turn of events)
- 风生水起fēng shēng shuǐ qǐWind rises and water surges (thriving and booming)
- 风土人情fēng tǔ rén qíngLocal customs and natural conditions
- 风云突变fēng yún tū biànA sudden change in the situation (like wind and clouds changing suddenly)
G
- 改邪归正gǎi xié guī zhèngTo turn over a new leaf (forsaking evil for the right path)
- 感慨万千gǎn kǎi wàn qiānA flood of emotions (deeply moved by a multitude of feelings)
- 敢做敢当gǎn zuò gǎn dāngTo have the courage to act and take responsibility for one's deeds
- 各奔前程gè bèn qián chéngTo go one's separate ways (to pursue one's own future)
- 格格不入gé gé bù rùOut of place / Incompatible (Like a square peg in a round hole)
- 各领风骚gè lǐng fēng sāoEach leading the way in their own time
- 各式各样gè shì gè yàngAll sorts of / Various kinds (Diverse styles)
- 根深蒂固gēn shēn dì gùDeep-rooted (Ingrained)
- 供不应求gōng bù yìng qiúSupply falls short of demand (in short supply)
- 功成名就gōng chéng míng jiùTo achieve success and win fame
- 觥筹交错gōng chóu jiāo cuòWine cups and tallies intermingled (a lively, bustling banquet)
- 狗急跳墙gǒu jí tiào qiángA cornered dog will jump over a wall (resorting to desperate measures)
- 古今中外gǔ jīn zhōng wàiAt all times and in all places (Throughout history and across the world)
- 孤陋寡闻gū lòu guǎ wénIgnorant and ill-informed (limited knowledge and experience)
- 沽名钓誉gū míng diào yùBuying fame and fishing for praise (seeking reputation through trickery)
- 顾全大局gù quán dà júTo consider the big picture (prioritizing the collective interest)
- 古往今来gǔ wǎng jīn láiFrom ancient times to the present (throughout history)
- 孤注一掷gū zhù yī zhìTo stake everything on a single throw (to go for broke)
- 刮目相看guā mù xiāng kànTo see someone in a whole new light
- 广阔无垠guǎng kuò wú yínVast and boundless
- 光明磊落guāng míng lěi luòOpen and aboveboard (having a clear conscience)
- 归根到底guī gēn dào dǐIn the final analysis (ultimately)
H
- 骇人听闻hài rén tīng wénAppalling / Hair-raising (shocking news of atrocities)
- 汗流浃背hàn liú jiā bèiSweat streaming down one's back (drenched in sweat)
- 毫不犹豫háo bù yóu yùWithout the slightest hesitation
- 好高骛远hào gāo wù yuǎnAiming too high (unrealistically)
- 浩浩荡荡hào hào dàng dàngVast and mighty (procession/flow)
- 好景不长hǎo jǐng bù chángGood times don't last long (short-lived prosperity)
- 合不拢嘴hé bù lǒng zuǐGrinning from ear to ear / Unable to stop smiling
- 鹤立鸡群hè lì jī qúnA crane standing among chickens (standing out from the crowd)
- 和平共处hé píng gòng chǔPeaceful coexistence
- 合情合理hé qíng hé lǐFair and reasonable (matching both heart and mind)
- 横七竖八héng qī shù bāScattered in disorder (at sixes and sevens)
- 哄堂大笑hōng táng dà xiàoThe whole room bursting into laughter
- 后顾之忧hòu gù zhī yōuFears of trouble at home (worries about the future)
- 呼风唤雨hū fēng huàn yǔSummoning wind and calling for rain (to wield immense power)
- 胡思乱想hú sī luàn xiǎngTo let one's imagination run wild (to overthink)
- 画龙点睛huà lóng diǎn jīngPainting the dragon and dotting the eyes (the finishing touch)
- 画蛇添足huà shé tiān zúDrawing a snake and adding feet (ruining it by overdoing it)
- 化为乌有huà wéi wū yǒuTo vanish into thin air / To come to naught
- 化险为夷huà xiǎn wéi yíTo turn danger into safety (to pull through a crisis)
- 花言巧语huā yán qiǎo yǔFlowery speech and cunning words (Sweet talk)
- 患得患失huàn dé huàn shīWorrying about personal gain and loss (obsessing over outcomes)
- 欢聚一堂huān jù yī tángTo gather together happily in one hall
- 欢声笑语huān shēng xiào yǔCheerful chatter and laughter
- 恍然大悟huǎng rán dà wùTo suddenly realize; to have a flash of insight
- 绘声绘色huì shēng huì sèVividly and lifelike (describing or narrating)
- 灰心丧气huī xīn sàng qìTo lose heart / To be utterly dejected
- 混为一谈hùn wéi yī tánTo lump together (different things)
- 活灵活现huó líng huó xiànVivid and lifelike (as if real)
J
- 饥肠辘辘jī cháng lù lùStomach growling with hunger (famished)
- 鸡毛蒜皮jī máo suàn píChicken feathers and garlic skins (trivialities)
- 记忆犹新jì yì yóu xīnFresh in one's memory (vividly remembered)
- 家常便饭jiā cháng biàn fànHome-cooked meal (a commonplace occurrence)
- 家家户户jiā jiā hù hùEvery household (every family)
- 家破人亡jiā pò rén wángFamily ruined and members dead or scattered
- 戛然而止jiá rán ér zhǐTo come to a screeching halt (to stop abruptly)
- 家喻户晓jiā yù hù xiǎoKnown to every household (a household name)
- 坚持不懈jiān chí bù xièTo persist unswervingly (unremitting perseverance)
- 艰苦奋斗jiān kǔ fèn dòuStruggling hard through difficulties (Arduous struggle)
- 见钱眼开jiàn qián yǎn kāiEyes opening wide at the sight of money (to be blinded by greed)
- 坚韧不拔jiān rèn bù báFirm and indomitable (unyielding persistence)
- 见仁见智jiàn rén jiàn zhìOpinions differ (The benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom)
- 渐入佳境jiàn rù jiā jìngGradually entering the best part (getting better and better)
- 见义勇为jiàn yì yǒng wéiTo act bravely for a just cause
- 将功补过jiāng gōng bǔ guòTo redeem oneself by making up for past mistakes with new achievements
- 江河日下jiāng hé rì xiàRivers flowing down daily (in steady decline)
- 脚踏实地jiǎo tà shí dìTo have one's feet on solid ground (down-to-earth)
- 交头接耳jiāo tóu jiē ěrWhispering in each other's ears (putting heads together)
- 接二连三jiē èr lián sānOne after another (in quick succession)
- 竭尽全力jié jìn quán lìTo do one's utmost (To spare no effort)
- 截然不同jié rán bù tóngCompletely different; poles apart
- 节衣缩食jié yī suō shíEconomize on clothes and food (to tighten one's belt)
- 斤斤计较jīn jīn jì jiàoHaggling over every penny (being petty about trifles)
- 津津有味jīn jīn yǒu wèiWith great relish (to do something with keen interest or gusto)
- 筋疲力尽jīn pí lì jìnExhausted (Muscles tired and strength depleted)
- 进退两难jìn tuì liǎng nánTo be in a dilemma; between a rock and a hard place
- 精打细算jīng dǎ xì suànMeticulous planning and careful calculation
- 井底之蛙jǐng dǐ zhī wāA frog at the bottom of a well (a person of narrow vision)
- 敬而远之jìng ér yuǎn zhīKeep someone at arm's length (respect from a distance)
- 惊慌失措jīng huāng shī cuòPanic-stricken (losing one's head)
- 兢兢业业jīng jīng yè yèConscientious and diligent (working with cautious care)
- 井井有条jǐng jǐng yǒu tiáoIn perfect order (methodical and organized)
- 经久不息jīng jiǔ bù xīProlonged and unabated (usually of applause)
- 精疲力竭jīng pí lì jiéExhausted (physically and mentally drained)
- 惊天动地jīng tiān dòng dìTo startle the heavens and shake the earth (earth-shattering)
- 惊心动魄jīng xīn dòng pòSoul-stirring / Heart-pounding (thrilling)
- 精益求精jīng yì qiú jīngConstantly striving for perfection (to improve even when already excellent)
- 久别重逢jiǔ bié chóng féngReunion after a long separation
- 久而久之jiǔ ér jiǔ zhīAs time goes by (over a long period of time)
- 久经沙场jiǔ jīng shā chǎngBattle-hardened (a seasoned veteran)
- 咎由自取jiù yóu zì qǔTo have only oneself to blame (bringing misfortune upon oneself)
- 居高临下jū gāo lín xiàTo look down from a height (commanding position / condescending attitude)
- 聚精会神jù jīng huì shénTo concentrate one's attention (to be all ears/eyes)
- 举世闻名jǔ shì wén míngWorld-famous (Known throughout the world)
- 举世无双jǔ shì wú shuāngUnrivaled in the world (peerless)
- 举世瞩目jǔ shì zhǔ mùAttracting worldwide attention (the focus of world attention)
- 举手之劳jǔ shǒu zhī láoThe effort of lifting a hand (a small favor / no trouble at all)
- 举一反三jǔ yī fǎn sānTo infer many things from one instance (learning by analogy)
- 卷土重来juǎn tǔ chóng láiTo make a comeback with a vengeance; to return with renewed force
K
- 开疆拓土kāi jiāng tuò tǔExpanding borders and opening up new territories (pioneering new markets/fields)
- 开门见山kāi mén jiàn shānOpening the door to see the mountain (getting straight to the point)
- 开天辟地kāi tiān pì dìThe creation of heaven and earth (epoch-making / unprecedented)
- 可乘之机kě chéng zhī jīAn opportunity to take advantage of (a loophole or vulnerability)
- 可歌可泣kě gē kě qìWorthy of songs and tears (heroic and moving)
- 可想而知kě xiǎng ér zhīOne can well imagine (it is obvious)
- 刻舟求剑kè zhōu qiú jiànCarving a mark on the boat to find the sword (clinging to outdated methods)
- 扣人心弦kòu rén xīn xiánSoul-stirring (tugging at one's heartstrings)
- 哭笑不得kū xiào bù déNot knowing whether to laugh or cry
- 夸夸其谈kuā kuā qí tánTo talk big (bombastic and empty talk)
L
- 来龙去脉lái lóng qù màiThe ins and outs (the whole sequence of events)
- 劳苦功高láo ér wú gōngTo have rendered outstanding service through great toil
- 冷酷无情lěng kù wú qíngCold-blooded and heartless
- 力不从心lì bù cóng xīnThe spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (strength falling short of one's will)
- 离群索居lí qún suǒ jūLiving a solitary life (away from the crowd)
- 力所不及lì suǒ bù jíBeyond one's power (out of one's reach)
- 理所当然lǐ suǒ dāng ránAs a matter of course (to go without saying)
- 力所能及lì suǒ néng jíWithin one's power (to the best of one's ability)
- 离题万里lí tí wàn lǐTo be miles off-topic (completely irrelevant)
- 理直气壮lǐ zhí qì zhuàngBold and confident with the truth on one's side
- 立锥之地lì zhuī zhī dìA place to stand an awl (a tiny foothold)
- 连滚带爬lián gǔn dài páRolling and crawling (scrambling in panic)
- 恋恋不舍liàn liàn bù shěReluctant to part (loath to leave)
- 连绵不断lián mián bù duànContinuous and unbroken (stretching on without end)
- 量入为出liàng rù wéi chūLive within one's means (to plan expenditure based on income)
- 寥寥无几liáo liáo wú jǐVery few (can be counted on one's fingers)
- 灵机一动líng jī yī dòngA sudden brainwave (a flash of inspiration)
- 乱七八糟luàn qī bā zāoA total mess (at sixes and sevens)
- 略胜一筹lüè xùn yī chóuSlightly better / A cut above (one tally ahead)
- 络绎不绝luò yì bù juéA continuous stream (in an endless flow)
M
- 马不停蹄mǎ bù tíng tíThe horse's hooves never stop (without pause)
- 眉开眼笑méi kāi yǎn xiàoBeaming with joy (Grinning from ear to ear)
- 没日没夜méi rì méi yèDay and night (without rest); round the clock
- 美中不足měi zhōng bù zúA fly in the ointment (a small flaw in an otherwise perfect thing)
- 门当户对mén dāng hù duìWell-matched in social and economic status (a marriage of equals)
- 蒙在鼓里méng zài gǔ lǐTo be kept in the dark
- 密不可分mì bù kě fēnInseparable / Inextricably linked
- 秘而不宣mì ér bù xuānTo keep something under wraps (keep secret and not make public)
- 迷惑不解mí huò bù jiěPuzzled and unable to understand (baffled)
- 弥足珍贵mí zú zhēn guìExtremely precious (irreplaceable)
- 面红耳赤miàn hóng ěr chìFlushed with anger or excitement (Red in the face)
- 面面俱到miàn miàn jù dàoAttending to every detail (covering all bases)
- 面目全非miàn mù quán fēiChanged beyond recognition (completely disfigured)
- 名副其实míng fù qí shíTo be worthy of the name (in name and in fact)
- 模棱两可mó léng liǎng kěAmbiguous and non-committal (sitting on the fence)
- 莫名其妙mò míng qí miàoBaffling / Without rhyme or reason
- 默默无闻mò mò wú wénTo be obscure and unknown (unsung)
- 目不识丁mù bù shí dīngNot knowing even the simplest character (completely illiterate)
- 目不转睛mù bù zhuǎn jīngTo stare with a fixed gaze (to be riveted)
- 目瞪口呆mù dèng kǒu dāiStaring with eyes wide and mouth agape (dumbfounded)
- 目中无人mù zhōng wú rénTo have no one in one's eyes (extremely arrogant)
N
- 耐人寻味nài rén xún wèiThought-provoking (worthy of pondering)
- 恼羞成怒nǎo xiū chéng nùTo fly into a rage out of shame (turning embarrassment into anger)
- 你死我活nǐ sǐ wǒ huóA life-and-death struggle (irreconcilable)
- 念念不忘niàn niàn bù wàngNever forgetting for a moment (constantly bearing in mind)
- 年逾古稀nián yú gǔ xīPast the age of seventy (venerable age)
- 弄虚作假nòng xū zuò jiǎResorting to deception (falsification)
O
P
- 抛头露面pāo tóu lù miànTo show one's face in public (often with a negative or reluctant nuance)
- 鹏程万里péng chéng wàn lǐA bright future (The Peng bird's journey of ten thousand miles)
- 疲惫不堪pí bèi bù kānExtremely exhausted (worn out to the limit)
- 平步青云píng bù qīng yúnStepping into the blue clouds (a meteoric rise)
- 平淡无奇píng dàn wú qíOrdinary and unremarkable (bland)
- 平起平坐píng qǐ píng zuòTo be on equal footing / To sit at the same table
- 萍水相逢píng shuǐ xiāng féngMeeting like duckweed on water (a chance encounter between strangers)
- 迫不及待pò bù jí dàiToo impatient to wait / Can't wait to...
- 扑面而来pū miàn ér láiRushing toward one's face (overwhelming the senses)
Q
- 气喘吁吁qì chuǎn xū xūPanting heavily (out of breath)
- 奇花异草qí huā yì cǎoExotic flowers and rare plants
- 旗开得胜qí kāi dé shèngTo win victory as soon as the flag is unfurled (to get off to a flying start)
- 七上八下qī shàng bā xiàSeven up, eight down (to be at sixes and sevens / in a state of mental unrest)
- 齐心协力qí xīn xié lìTo work together with one heart (concerted effort)
- 岂有此理qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐHow can such a thing be? (Outrageous / Preposterous)
- 七嘴八舌qī zuǐ bā shéSeven mouths and eight tongues (everyone talking at once)
- 恰到好处qià dào hǎo chùJust right (perfectly balanced)
- 恰恰相反qià qià xiāng fǎnExactly the opposite (Quite the contrary)
- 恰如其分qià rú qí fènJust right (perfectly appropriate)
- 千变万化qiān biàn wàn huàEver-changing (countless transformations)
- 浅尝辄止qiǎn cháng zhé zhǐTo stop after a shallow taste (skimming the surface)
- 千方百计qiān fāng bǎi jìBy every possible means / To leave no stone unturned
- 前赴后继qián fù hòu jìTo advance wave upon wave (one falls, another takes their place)
- 千家万户qiān jiā wàn hùCountless households (every family)
- 千军万马qiān jūn wàn mǎA thousand armies and ten thousand horses (a massive force)
- 千钧一发qiān jūn yī fàHanging by a thread (a critical moment)
- 千里迢迢qiān lǐ tiáo tiáoFrom a great distance / Over a long journey
- 千篇一律qiān piān yī lǜA thousand pieces following the same pattern (monotonous/cookie-cutter)
- 千山万水qiān shān wàn shuǐA thousand mountains and ten thousand rivers (an arduous journey)
- 前所未有qián suǒ wèi yǒuUnprecedented (never seen before)
- 前无古人qián wú gǔ rénUnprecedented (having no predecessor)
- 前仰后合qián yǎng hòu héRocking back and forth with laughter (doubled over)
- 潜移默化qián yí mò huàTo be imperceptibly influenced (subtle transformation)
- 前因后果qián yīn hòu guǒThe cause and effect (the whole story / the ins and outs)
- 锲而不舍qiè ér bù shěTo keep carving without stopping (unwavering perseverance)
- 情不自禁qíng bù zì jīnCannot help but (unable to restrain one's emotions)
- 轻车熟路qīng chē shú lùDriving a light carriage on a familiar road (doing something with ease due to experience)
- 青出于蓝qīng chū yú lánBlue comes from indigo (the student surpasses the master)
- 轻而易举qīng ér yì jǔEasy as lifting something light (effortless)
- 倾家荡产qīng jiā dàng chǎnTo lose one's entire fortune (to go bankrupt)
- 晴空万里qíng kōng wàn lǐA clear sky for ten thousand miles (cloudless sky)
- 情有可原qíng yǒu kě yuánExcusable in light of the circumstances (extenuating circumstances)
- 取而代之qǔ ér dài zhīTo replace someone or something (to take the place of)
- 全力以赴quán lì yǐ fùTo go all out (to give one's all)
- 全心全意quán xīn quán yìWholeheartedly (With all one's heart and soul)
R
- 饶有兴趣ráo yǒu xìng qùWith great interest (full of curiosity)
- 人浮于事rén fú yú shìMore hands than work (overstaffing)
- 忍饥挨饿rěn jī ái èEnduring hunger and starvation
- 人迹罕至rén jì hǎn zhìOff the beaten path (where footprints are rarely seen)
- 忍俊不禁rěn jùn bù jīnCannot help laughing (unable to restrain a smile)
- 任人宰割rèn rén zǎi gēTo be at someone's mercy (like a lamb to the slaughter)
- 人山人海rén shān rén hǎiA sea of people (huge crowds)
- 人头攒动rén tóu cuán dòngA bobbing sea of heads (a bustling crowd)
- 日积月累rì jī yuè lěiAccumulating over a long period (steady accumulation)
- 日新月异rì xīn yuè yìChanging with each passing day (rapid progress)
- 容光焕发róng guāng huàn fāGlowing with health and spirits (radiant)
- 如出一辙rú chū yī zhéComing from the same rut (exactly the same)
- 如火如荼rú huǒ rú túLike a raging fire and white cogon flowers (in full swing)
- 如饥似渴rú jī sì kěAs if hungry or thirsty (thirsting for knowledge)
- 茹毛饮血rú máo yǐn xuèEating fur and drinking blood (a primitive, uncivilized lifestyle)
- 如愿以偿rú yuàn yǐ chángTo have one's wish fulfilled (to get one's heart's desire)
- 如醉如痴rú zuì rú chīAs if drunk or obsessed (mesmerized)
- 如坐针毡rú zuò zhēn zhānLike sitting on a bed of needles (on pins and needles)
- 弱不禁风ruò bù jīn fēngToo weak to stand a gust of wind (extremely fragile)
S
- 三长两短sān cháng liǎng duǎnThree long and two short (unexpected misfortune or death)
- 三番五次sān fān wǔ cìTime and again; over and over (repeatedly)
- 三思而后行sān sī ér hòu xíngThink twice before you act (Look before you leap)
- 三五成群sān wǔ chéng qúnIn small groups of threes and fives
- 煞费苦心shà fèi kǔ xīnTo take great pains (racking one's brains)
- 煞有介事shà yǒu jiè shìTo act as if it were true (making a big fuss)
- 善解人意shàn jiě rén yìUnderstanding and considerate (empathetic)
- 身不由己shēn bù yóu jǐUnable to act of one's own volition (caught in the grip of circumstances)
- 深谋远虑shēn móu yuǎn lǜDeep planning and far-sightedness
- 深入人心shēn rù rén xīnTo strike a chord / To be deeply rooted in people's hearts
- 盛极一时shèng jí yī shíAt the peak of its popularity (flourishing for a time)
- 盛气凌人shèng qì líng rénArrogant and overbearing (to bully others with one's pride)
- 声势浩大shēng shì hào dàMassive in scale and momentum
- 生吞活剥shēng tūn huó bōTo swallow whole (mechanical imitation)
- 事半功倍shì bàn gōng bèiHalf the effort, twice the result (highly efficient)
- 事必躬亲shì bì gōng qīnAttending to everything personally (Hands-on approach)
- 势不可当shì bù kě dāngAn irresistible force (unstoppable momentum)
- 恃才傲物shì cái ào wùTo be arrogant and look down on others due to one's talent
- 适可而止shì kě ér zhǐStop while you're ahead (know when to stop)
- 实事求是shí shì qiú shìSeeking truth from facts (being realistic and objective)
- 视同陌路shì tóng mò lùTo treat someone like a complete stranger
- 史无前例shǐ wú qián lìUnprecedented (literally: 'no precedent in history')
- 事与愿违shì yǔ yuàn wéiThings go against one's wishes (to backfire)
- 守株待兔shǒu zhū dài tùGuarding a stump waiting for a rabbit (waiting for a windfall / being stuck in old ways)
- 水落石出shuǐ luò shí chūThe water recedes and the rocks appear (the truth comes to light)
- 水深火热shuǐ shēn huǒ rèDeep water and scorching fire (extreme misery)
- 水涨船高shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāoWhen the water rises, the boat floats higher (all boats rise with the tide)
- 顺理成章shùn lǐ chéng zhāngLogical and natural (to follow as a matter of course)
- 顺其自然shùn qí zì ránLet nature take its course
- 顺水推舟shùn shuǐ tuī zhōuPushing a boat with the current (going with the flow)
- 似曾相识sì céng xiāng shíSeemingly familiar (Déjà vu)
- 司空见惯sī kōng jiàn guànA common sight / Commonplace (literally: 'The Minister of Works is used to seeing it')
- 四面八方sì miàn bā fāngFour sides and eight directions (All directions / From all sides)
- 似是而非sì shì ér fēiSpecious (Seemingly right but actually wrong)
- 四通八达sì tōng bā dáExtending in all directions (well-connected)
- 死心塌地sǐ xīn tā dìTo be dead set on something (wholeheartedly devoted)
- 素不相识sù bù xiāng shíTo be complete strangers (never having met before)
- 酸甜苦辣suān tián kǔ làSour, sweet, bitter, and spicy (the ups and downs of life)
- 随机应变suí jī yìng biànTo adapt to changing circumstances (to play it by ear)
- 随心所欲suí xīn suǒ yùTo follow one's heart's desires (as one pleases)
- 损人利己sǔn rén lì jǐTo profit at others' expense (harming others to benefit oneself)
- 所剩无几suǒ shèng wú jǐVery little left (hardly anything remains)
- 所作所为suǒ zuò suǒ wéiActions and behavior (one's conduct)
T
- 他山之石tā shān zhī shíStones from other mountains (learning from others' experience)
- 叹为观止tàn wéi guān zhǐAcclaiming something as the peak of perfection (to leave nothing to be desired)
- 滔滔不绝tāo tāo bù juéTalking like a flowing river (to talk incessantly)
- 提心吊胆tí xīn diào dǎnTo have one's heart in one's mouth (to be on edge)
- 天长地久tiān cháng dì jiǔAs eternal as heaven and earth (everlasting love)
- 天经地义tiān jīng dì yìRight and proper (unalterable principle of heaven and earth)
- 天下无双tiān xià wú shuāngPeerless; Matchless in the world
- 听天由命tīng tiān yóu mìngTo leave things to fate (resigning oneself to destiny)
- 同舟共济tóng zhōu gòng jìCrossing the river in the same boat (pulling together in times of trouble)
- 投机取巧tóu jī qǔ qiǎoTo resort to dubious tricks (opportunism)
- 头头是道tóu tóu shì dàoClear and logical (to speak with great plausibility)
- 突飞猛进tū fēi měng jìnAdvancing by leaps and bounds (rapid progress)
- 突如其来tū rú qí láiTo happen out of the blue (sudden and unexpected)
- 土生土长tǔ shēng tǔ zhǎngBorn and bred (native-born and raised)
- 退避三舍tuì bì sān shèRetreating ninety li (giving way to avoid conflict)
- 推波助澜tuī bō zhù lánPushing the waves and adding to the billows (to fan the flames)
- 推陈出新tuī chén chū xīnWeeding through the old to bring forth the new
- 脱口而出tuō kǒu ér chūTo blurt out / To roll off the tongue
- 唾手可得tuò shǒu kě déWithin easy reach (extremely easy to obtain)
- 脱颖而出tuō yǐng ér chūAn awl poking through a bag (to stand out from the crowd)
W
- 万古长青wàn gǔ liú fāngEvergreen forever (remaining fresh and eternal)
- 完美无缺wán měi wú quēPerfect and flawless
- 万无一失wàn wú yī shīNot a single failure in ten thousand (foolproof/fail-safe)
- 望而却步wàng ér què bùTo shrink back at the sight of something (daunted by difficulty or cost)
- 枉费心机wǎng fèi xīn jīTo rack one's brains in vain (scheming to no avail)
- 亡羊补牢wáng yáng bǔ láoMending the fold after the sheep are lost (Better late than never)
- 微不足道wēi bù zú dàoInsignificant / Not worth mentioning
- 危机四伏wēi jī sì fúCrisis lurking on all sides (riddled with danger)
- 文质彬彬wén zhì bīn bīnRefined and gentle (a balance of substance and elegance)
- 无边无际wú biān wú jìBoundless / As far as the eye can see
- 无处不在wú chù bù zàiUbiquitous / Everywhere
- 无关紧要wú guān jǐn yàoInconsequential (of no importance)
- 五花八门wǔ huā bā ménFive flowers and eight gates (a wide variety / all sorts of)
- 无话可说wú huà kě shuōTo have nothing to say (speechless / at a loss for words)
- 物换星移wù huàn xīng yíThings change and stars shift (the passage of time and great changes)
- 无济于事wú jì yú shìOf no help to the matter (to no avail)
- 无家可归wú jiā kě guīHomeless (having no home to return to)
- 无精打采wú jīng dǎ cǎiListless (to be in low spirits)
- 无拘无束wú jū wú shùFree and unconstrained (without any strings attached)
- 无可奉告wú kě fèng gàoNo comment (Nothing to disclose)
- 无可厚非wú kě hòu fēiBeyond heavy reproach (understandable)
- 无可奈何wú kě nài héTo have no alternative (utterly helpless)
- 无理取闹wú lǐ qǔ nàoTo make a scene without reason (being deliberately unreasonable)
- 物美价廉wù měi jià liánHigh quality at a low price (Good value for money)
- 无能为力wú néng wéi lìPowerless to help (Helpless)
- 无情无义wú qíng wú yìHeartless and ungrateful (devoid of emotion and loyalty)
- 无人问津wú rén wèn jīnNo one asks for the ferry crossing (to be completely ignored or unpopular)
- 无声无息wú shēng wú xīSilent and unnoticed (without a sound or trace)
- 无时无刻wú shí wú kèNot a single moment (without...); constantly
- 无所事事wú suǒ shì shìTo have nothing to do (to idle away one's time)
- 无所作为wú suǒ zuò wéiTo achieve nothing / To be passive and unproductive
- 无微不至wú wēi bù zhìMeticulous care (to the smallest detail)
- 五颜六色wǔ yán liù sèColorful / Multicolored (Literally: Five colors and six colors)
- 无影无踪wú yǐng wú zōngTo vanish without a trace / To disappear into thin air
- 无忧无虑wú yōu wú lǜCarefree and without a single worry
- 无缘无故wú yuán wú gùWithout cause or reason (for no reason at all)
- 无足轻重wú zú qīng zhòngInsignificant / Of no consequence
X
- 喜出望外xǐ chū wàng wàiOverjoyed at an unexpected gain (pleasantly surprised)
- 喜结良缘xǐ jié liáng yuánTo tie the knot (a happy marriage union)
- 喜怒哀乐xǐ nù āi lèJoy, anger, sorrow, and happiness (The full range of human emotions)
- 细水长流xì shuǐ cháng liúA thin stream flows far (steady and long-lasting)
- 熙熙攘攘xī xī rǎng rǎngBustling with activity (people coming and going)
- 息息相关xī xī xiāng guānClosely linked / Inextricably related
- 喜新厌旧xǐ xīn yàn jiùTo love the new and loathe the old (fickle)
- 显而易见xiǎn ér yì jiànObvious / Self-evident
- 险象环生xiǎn xiàng huán shēngPerils appearing in succession (a series of crises)
- 相得益彰xiāng dé yì zhāngTo complement each other and bring out the best in both
- 想方设法xiǎng fāng shè fǎTo try every possible means / To think of ways and means
- 相夫教子xiàng fū jiào zǐAssisting one's husband and educating the children
- 想入非非xiǎng rù fēi fēiTo indulge in wild fantasies (to have one's head in the clouds)
- 相提并论xiāng tí bìng lùnTo mention in the same breath (to place on a par)
- 相依为命xiāng yī wéi mìngTo depend on each other for survival
- 销声匿迹xiāo shēng nì jìTo vanish without a trace / To lie low
- 小题大做xiǎo tí dà zuòMaking a mountain out of a molehill (making a big fuss over a small matter)
- 小心翼翼xiǎo xīn yì yìWith extreme caution (gingerly)
- 心安理得xīn ān lǐ déTo have a clear conscience (or to feel justified)
- 心甘情愿xīn gān qíng yuànWillingly and gladly (of one's own free will)
- 心急如焚xīn jí rú fénBurning with anxiety (extremely worried)
- 心灵手巧xīn líng shǒu qiǎoClever heart and skillful hands (ingenious and handy)
- 信手拈来xìn shǒu niān láiTo have at one's fingertips (effortless mastery)
- 心想事成xīn xiǎng shì chéngMay all your wishes come true
- 欣欣向荣xīn xīn xiàng róngFlourishing and prosperous (thriving like spring growth)
- 心有灵犀xīn yǒu líng xīHearts linked like the spiritual rhinoceros horn (being on the same wavelength)
- 兴高采烈xìng gāo cǎi lièIn high spirits (jubilant and excited)
- 形形色色xíng xíng sè sèAll kinds of / Of every description (diverse shapes and colors)
- 形影不离xíng yǐng bù líInseparable (like a body and its shadow)
- 行之有效xíng zhī yǒu xiàoProven effective through practice
- 胸有成竹xiōng yǒu chéng zhúHaving a complete bamboo in one's chest (to have a well-thought-out plan)
- 袖手旁观xiù shǒu páng guānTo stand by with folded arms (and watch from the sidelines)
- 喧宾夺主xuān bīn duó zhǔThe guest's clamor usurps the host's place (the secondary overshadowing the primary)
- 学富五车xué fù wǔ chēWealth of learning to fill five carts (extremely erudite)
- 雪上加霜xuě shàng jiā shuāngAdding frost to snow (making a bad situation worse)
- 循序渐进xún xù jiàn jìnStep-by-step progress (proceeding in an orderly manner)
Y
- 鸦雀无声yā què wú shēngDead silence (Not even the sound of a crow or sparrow)
- 眼见为实yǎn jiàn wéi shíSeeing is believing (What the eye sees is true)
- 摇摇欲坠yáo yáo yù zhuìTottering and on the verge of collapse
- 夜以继日yè yǐ jì rìDay and night / Around the clock (To continue the day into the night)
- 一波三折yī bō sān zhéTwists and turns (Full of ups and downs)
- 一成不变yī chéng bù biànSet in stone / Unchanging (stagnant)
- 一筹莫展yī chóu mò zhǎnUnable to find a single solution (at one's wits' end)
- 一动不动yí dòng bú dòngMotionless (not moving a muscle)
- 一帆风顺yī fān fēng shùnSmooth sailing (everything going smoothly)
- 一概而论yī gài ér lùnTo lump everything together (to generalize)
- 一干二净yī gān èr jìngThoroughly clean (completely gone)
- 一鼓作气yī gǔ zuò qìTo finish in one go (while the momentum is high)
- 一技之长yī jì zhī chángA specialized skill (to make a living)
- 一举两得yī jǔ liǎng déKilling two birds with one stone (Gaining two advantages with one move)
- 一举一动yī jǔ yī dòngEvery single move (every action and behavior)
- 异军突起yì jūn tū qǐA new force suddenly rising (to emerge as a dark horse)
- 异口同声yì kǒu tóng shēngWith one voice (speaking in unison)
- 一劳永逸yī láo yǒng yìTo do something once and for all (a permanent solution)
- 意料之外yì liào zhī wàiBeyond expectation (unexpected)
- 一路平安yī lù píng ānHave a safe journey (Safe travels all the way)
- 一路顺风yī lù shùn fēngHave a pleasant journey (Smooth sailing)
- 一毛不拔yī máo bù báNot pulling out even a single hair (extremely stingy)
- 一目了然yī mù liǎo ránClear at a glance
- 一模一样yī mú yī yàngExactly the same (like two peas in a pod)
- 怡然自得yí rán zì déHappy and content with oneself (carefree and satisfied)
- 一如既往yī rú jì wǎngJust as in the past (as always)
- 以身作则yǐ shēn zuò zéTo lead by example / To set an example with one's own conduct
- 一声不吭yī shēng bù kēngNot saying a single word (to keep mum)
- 一事无成yī shì wú chéngTo accomplish nothing (to have nothing to show for one's efforts)
- 一塌糊涂yī tā hú túA complete mess (in a terrible state)
- 意味深长yì wèi shēn chángProfound and lasting meaning (thought-provoking)
- 一无是处yī wú shì chùWithout a single redeeming feature (completely worthless)
- 一无所有yī wú suǒ yǒuTo have nothing at all (to not have a thing to one's name)
- 一无所知yī wú suǒ zhīTo know absolutely nothing (to be completely in the dark)
- 一五一十yī wǔ yī shíIn full detail (from beginning to end)
- 意想不到yì xiǎng bù dàoUnexpected; beyond one's imagination
- 异想天开yì xiǎng tiān kāiTo have a wild imagination (whimsical/unrealistic ideas)
- 一心一意yī xīn yī yìWholeheartedly / Single-mindedly
- 一言不发yī yán bù fāNot to say a single word (to remain silent)
- 一言一行yī yán yī xíngEvery word and every deed
- 抑扬顿挫yì yáng dùn cuòCadence and modulation (rhythmic rise and fall of the voice)
- 依依不舍yī yī bù shěReluctant to part (deeply attached)
- 一衣带水yī yī dài shuǐSeparated by only a narrow strip of water (very close neighbors)
- 一应俱全yī yīng jù quánEverything needed is available (complete in all respects)
- 一知半解yī zhī bàn jiěA smattering of knowledge (superficial understanding)
- 引经据典yǐn jīng jù diǎnCiting the classics (to support an argument)
- 因人而异yīn rén ér yìTo vary from person to person (depends on the individual)
- 引人入胜yǐn rén rù shèngLeading one into a wonderland (fascinating/enchanting)
- 引人注目yǐn rén zhù mùTo attract attention; eye-catching
- 应接不暇yìng jiē bù xiáToo busy to attend to all (overwhelmed)
- 应有尽有yīng yǒu jìn yǒuHaving everything that should be there (all-inclusive)
- 勇往直前yǒng wǎng zhí qiánTo forge ahead undaunted (marching straight forward with courage)
- 有的放矢yǒu dì fàng shǐTo shoot an arrow with a target (having a clear objective)
- 有口无心yǒu kǒu wú xīnTo speak without thinking (sharp-tongued but kind-hearted)
- 有目共睹yǒu mù gòng dǔObvious to all (plain for everyone to see)
- 优柔寡断yōu róu guǎ duànIndecisive (Lacking the power to decide)
- 有声有色yǒu shēng yǒu sèVivid and dramatic (full of sound and color)
- 有条不紊yǒu tiáo bù wěnMethodical and orderly
- 犹豫不决yóu yù bù juéHesitant and indecisive
- 愚公移山yú gōng yí shānThe Old Fool moves the mountains (unyielding persistence)
- 与日俱增yǔ rì jù zēngTo grow with each passing day (increasing steadily)
- 与时俱进yǔ shí jù jìnKeeping pace with the times (evolving with the era)
- 愈演愈烈yù yǎn yù lièTo grow more and more intense (escalate)
- 与众不同yǔ zhòng bù tóngStanding out from the crowd; unique
- 远近闻名yuǎn jìn wén míngFamous far and wide (well-known near and far)
- 源源不断yuán yuán bù duànA steady stream / In a continuous flow
- 原汁原味yuán zhī yuán wèiOriginal juice and original flavor (Authentic / Unadulterated)
- 约定俗成yuē dìng sú chéngEstablished by usage (Conventional)
- 悦耳动听yuè ěr dòng tīngPleasing to the ear and moving to listen to
- 运筹帷幄yùn chóu wéi wòDevising strategies within a command tent (masterminding from the rear)
Z
- 杂乱无章zá luàn wú zhāngDisorganized and without order (incoherent)
- 赞不绝口zàn bù jué kǒuPraising without end (to be full of praise)
- 赞叹不已zàn tàn bù yǐTo be full of praise (marveling endlessly)
- 斩草除根zhǎn cǎo chú gēnTo cut the grass and pull up the roots (to eradicate root and branch)
- 瞻前顾后zhān qián gù hòuLooking forward and backward (over-cautious/indecisive)
- 张灯结彩zhāng dēng jié cǎiHanging lanterns and colorful decorations (festive decorations)
- 朝气蓬勃zhāo qì péng bóFull of youthful vigor (vibrant and flourishing)
- 朝三暮四zhāo sān mù sìThree in the morning and four in the evening (fickle/changeable)
- 朝夕相处zhāo xī xiāng chǔTo be together from morning till night
- 针锋相对zhēn fēng xiāng duìTit-for-tat / Sharp confrontation (Needle point against blade edge)
- 争分夺秒zhēng fēn duó miǎoRacing against time (making every second count)
- 争先恐后zhēng xiān kǒng hòuStriving to be first and fearing to be last (scrambling for precedence)
- 至关重要zhì guān zhòng yàoExtremely important; of vital importance; crucial
- 至善至美zhì shàn zhì měiThe pinnacle of goodness and beauty (perfect in every way)
- 指手画脚zhǐ shǒu huà jiǎoTo gesticulate; to make bossy remarks (meddling)
- 众口铄金zhòng kǒu shuò jīnPublic opinion can melt gold (the power of collective slander)
- 众目睽睽zhòng mù kuí kuíUnder the watchful eyes of the public
- 重男轻女zhòng nán qīng nǚValuing men and belittling women (preference for sons over daughters)
- 众矢之的zhòng shǐ zhī dìTarget of many arrows (target of public criticism)
- 众说纷纭zhòng shuō fēn yúnOpinions are divided (diverse and conflicting views)
- 众所周知zhòng suǒ zhōu zhīAs everyone knows (well-known)
- 众望所归zhòng wàng suǒ guīTo be the popular choice (meeting everyone's expectations)
- 众志成城zhòng zhì chéng chéngCollective will forms a fortress (Unity is strength)
- 重中之重zhòng zhōng zhī zhòngThe priority of priorities (the most important of all)
- 竹篮打水zhú lán dá shuǐDrawing water with a bamboo basket (all for nothing)
- 自成一家zì chéng yī jiāTo establish a unique style of one's own
- 自力更生zì lì gēng shēngSelf-reliance (regeneration through one's own efforts)
- 自暴自弃zì qiáng bù xīGiving up on oneself (Self-abandonment)
- 自强不息zì qiáng bù xīStriving unceasingly for self-improvement
- 自然而然zì rán ér ránNaturally / Of its own accord / Spontaneously
- 自食其果zì shí qí guǒTo reap what one sows (negative consequences)
- 自始至终zì shǐ zhì zhōngFrom beginning to end (from start to finish)
- 自私自利zì sī zì lìSelfish and self-seeking
- 自相矛盾zì xiāng máo dùnTo contradict oneself (The ultimate spear vs. the ultimate shield)
- 自言自语zì yán zì yǔTalking to oneself
- 自以为是zì yǐ wéi shìSelf-righteous (to think oneself always right)
- 自由自在zì yóu zì zàiFree and easy (completely unrestrained)
- 总而言之zǒng ér yán zhīIn short / To sum up / All in all
- 纵横交错zòng héng jiāo cuòCrisscrossing in all directions (a complex network)
- 走马观花zǒu mǎ guān huāLooking at flowers while riding a horse (giving a cursory glance)
- 走马看花zǒu mǎ kàn huāLooking at flowers while riding a horse (superficial understanding)
- 走投无路zǒu tóu wú lùTo have no way out (at the end of one's rope)
- 足智多谋zú zhì duō móuWise and full of stratagems (resourceful)
- 钻牛角尖zuān niú jiǎo jiānTo enter a bull's horn (to split hairs / to get stuck in a dead end)
- 罪魁祸首zuì kuí huò shǒuThe main culprit (The root of all evil)
- 左顾右盼zuǒ gù yòu pànLooking left and right (glancing around)